Students explore ‘Penn’s Woods,’ sustainable forestry with WoodMobile

Technology teacher Eric Shotts arranged for the Pennsylvania Wood mobile to provide approximately two hundred seventh through twelfth grade students at Eisenhower Middle High School the opportunity to learn why Pennsylvania is named “Penn’s Woods” through lessons and activities hosted in the Pennsylvania WoodMobile on Monday, May 5.

An outreach tool of the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council, the WoodMobile educates the public about Pennsylvania’s forests and sustainable forest management-securing the wood products we need today while protecting the trees of tomorrow. The mobile classroom uses interactive activities and displays to promote the responsible use of forest resources and an understanding of the forest industry to the public.

Within the 34-foot long WoodMobile are numerous panels showing the history and industry surrounding Pennsylvania’s forests, interactive exhibits on leaf and wood identification and deer management, and video presentations focused on forestry and wood product careers.

Operated by the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council in the Department of Agriculture and sponsored by the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, the WoodMobile travels nearly 150 days per year from April to November, delivering free, educational programs to elementary and secondary school students as well as members of the public.

For more information on the WoodMobile, including a schedule and request form, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and search “WoodMobile.”